3) The Big Short
Numbers are another language to me – I marvel at my professional finance friends who balance books, play with equations, and use statistics on a daily basis. I do, on the other hand, understand repercussions, and the 2007-2008 financial crisis did damage that all of society felt in some way.
The housing market was supposed to be unbeatable, yet its inevitable crumble was predicted by a few brilliant men who no one wanted to believe. The money was right, but shady Wall Street practices eventually caught up with the scumbags who screwed America over.
There’s a ton of jargon in here worth learning extensively, but Adam McKay does a wonderful job making each dry morsel extremely digestible. Characters break the fourth wall to make sure we understand the insane schemes brokers used to make money, but McKay’s aggressive energy is still felt throughout. The Big Short is made by a man who’s still furious about the losses people felt, and his film packs a equally tremendous bite that evokes anger all over again.
Then again, you’ll find yourself laughing far more than you should be thanks to a host of hilarious cameos and Bro-Street stereotypes.
The cast is phenomenal, but watch this one for Ryan Gosling. I promise you won’t be let down.